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Published On May 3, 2006
POLICY
Blood Count
The need for—and dearth of—one precious commodity.
2
Seconds that pass until another American needs a transfusion
4,500,000
Number of American lives saved each year by transfusions
48
Gallons of blood an American could donate if she began giving at age 17 and gave every 56 days until reaching age 76
5
Estimated annual percentage of eligible Americans who donate
500,000
Number of Americans who donated in the days following the September 11 attacks
29,000,000
Number of units of blood components transfused in 2001 (a single donation can be divided into plasma, platelets and red blood cells)
2
Times as likely heart patients are to die after a transfusion to treat blood loss or anemia as heart patients who do not receive a transfusion, possibly because of such problems as artery disease aggravated by the transfusion.
Dispatches
Podcast: The Minutes After It's a matter of time before the next bombing, shooting or violent attack. How can emergency physicians save more lives?
Safe Harbor Scientists in unstable regions sometimes fear for their lives. Allan Goodman helps them find refuge and a chance to work again.
Allies Within Bacteria in the body produce their own powerful antibiotics. Some may lead to new tools for fighting superbugs.
The Blood Depot An invention for the battlefields of World War I led to the modern blood transfusion.
Near Death, New Life More children survive cancer, but infertility is often the cost. New techniques offer hope.
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